Wednesday, August 6, 2008

I found three fabulous new picture books from author-illustrators I met in LA this weekend and I had to share...

1) Pssst! by the hilarious, very friendly author/illustrator of The True Meaning of Smekday, Adam Rex

What you gotta love: talking zoo animals convince a kid to bring them what they need to create a zoomobile and bust outThe mood: comic book-style layout, wry humor, lots of good jokes for grown-ups hidden in the illustrationsRecommended for: kids who like funny, kids who like zoos; the details in the art make it accessible for anyone 4-9Especially recommended for: people who like to do animal imitations when they read out loud

2. Scribble, by Deborah Freedman, whom I met and thought was lovely and then was thrilled to discover also has a brilliant portfolio (it is always nice when people you like turn out to also be talented, eh?). I am much looking forward to more from her.What you gotta love: sibling rivalry played out by the kids' own drawings, Freedman combines her charming, representative illustration and realistic kid art, the text has a great younger sister voiceThe mood: quiet, funny, scribblyRecommended for: kids 3-7 who like art, or who hate their sistersEspecially recommended for: kids who have had their artwork called "scribbles"

3. Little Night, by Yuyi Morales. I was disappointed I didn't get to meet Yuyi, but this book won a Golden Kite award and her acceptance speech was absolutely beautiful.What you gotta love: in a sweet, quiet folktale-esque story, Mother Sky tries to get Little Night to go to bed but Little Night just wants to play; bright and fantastic (in the sense of "full of fantasy") illustrationsThe mood: dreamy, playfulRecommended for: little ones, bedtimeEspecially recommended for: me. Seriously, I am still catching up. Good night.